'05 Mustang roars to 47% sales gain By Sharon Silke Carty, USA TODAY 6/27/05 DETROIT - It didn't take quite as long as a pregnancy, but Angela Biesecker was eager for her baby to arrive. Angela Biesecker enjoys her 2005 Mustang in Neenah, Wis. By Larry Crane, Oshkosh Northwestern, for USA TODAY Like lots of expectant parents, Biesecker trolled Internet sites looking for more information, wondering how long it would take and what to expect when it finally came. And then on June 17 came the moment she was waiting for: a call from her local Ford dealer. Her 2005 Legend Lime Mustang was finally delivered. "It took five months and three days," says Biesecker of Neenah, Wis. "I was fine with the wait. I was just more worried about not getting it before the production year ended." Biesecker, who put a $100 deposit on the car in early January, may be among the last people who ordered a 2005 who will actually get one. Ford is working hard to fill the remaining 5,500 outstanding Mustang orders but has told dealers to stop taking 2005 orders and start selling the 2006 models. For the 2005 model year, Ford redesigned the Mustang for the first time since 1994, and buyers have been lined up since long before it went on sale in October. The automaker gave its iconic car a retro look with round headlights, chrome details inside and a throaty roar when accelerating, all hearkening back to its mid-'60s roots. And fans have been enthralled. Sales of the Mustang are up 47% through the end of May over what they were last year before the redesign. The redesigned car is selling better than Chrysler's popular 300 sedan. It also is outselling 13 brands, including Scion, Saturn, Mercedes-Benz and Subaru. "Demand for the 2005 model has already been filled from a production standpoint," says Jim Owens, marketing manager for Mustang. "We haven't seen anything like this for Mustang in recent history." The Mustang buzz is so hot, in fact, it's even helping boost the price of used 2003 and 2004 models from before the redesign. Kelley Blue Book says used values have been up as much as $1,000 at auction as dealers scramble to have something on their lots to offer customers if they can't provide a new model. "The introduction of a new vehicle typically brings down the value of the car it replaces, but we have found an anomaly in the Mustang," says Jack Nerad, editorial director and executive market analyst at Kelley Blue Book. "We have seen this phenomenon before but never to this extent and for this long a period." The last time used values went up after a new model was introduced was in 2001 when BMW introduced the new 7 Series, which loyal BMW fans initially despised. Demand went up for the less controversial older model for about a month or so. Most of the back orders for the new Mustang are for the GT model, which has a 300-horsepower V-8 engine and sells for about $25,000. Many dealers have the 210-horsepower V-6 model on their lots, but those don't stay around for long - less than three weeks, on average. "I'm not out of cars, but that car is the hottest car on the market right now," says Dan Hay, a dealer in Bakersfield, Calif. Waiting has become almost as entertaining for buyers as actually getting the car. At some Internet sites, such as BlueOvalNews.com, Mustang buyers have hooked up with anonymous Ford employees to track where in the production cycle their car is. Someone even leaked a number usually reserved for dealers that lets buyers check on their car. Armed with their vehicle identification number, buyers-to-be can check whether their car has been scheduled for a build date, if it's already on the line or if it's in the process of being delivered to their dealer. "I was probably checking a couple times a week," says Jim Vance, a Cincinnati resident who picked up his Sonic Blue GT convertible last week. "It's just because I was so excited about the car." Art Spinella, an analyst at CNW Marketing Research, says he expects demand for the Mustang will remain strong for about 18 months. Considering the car went on sale in October, that means supply could stay limited until next April. "There's an awful lot of breadth to the Mustang but not a lot of depth," Spinella says. "A lot of people would consider driving one, but it isn't a primary vehicle in a household."
----- Original Message ----- From: tibiafx1 To: Stephen G. Becker Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 12:11 AM Subject: Re: Fw: Ford GT price scam Stephen, I have been watching FORD GT prices on ebay for as long as they have been available and MallofGeorogiaFord always tries to outbid anyone even other Ford Dealers to keep the price up. I reported this to Ebay 2 months ago. I had given them at least 4 instances where the car did not sell and MallofGeorgiaFord was the top bidder. Eric Johnson Galpin Ford in hte San Fernando Valley, largets Ford Dealer in the world, notified me a bout 10 days ago they had a blue GT with organge numbering and stripes and they wanted $279K for it. EJ Stephen G. Becker wrote: ----- Original Message ----- From: Stephen G. Becker To: shelbymustang@carmemories.com Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 10:29 PM Subject: Fw: Ford GT price scam ----- Original Message ----- From: Stephen G. Becker To: ShelbyMustang@carmemories.com Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 10:27 PM Subject: Ford GT price scam I wanted to share this e mail with the list members as there has been allot of e mail postings going on lately about the manipulation of FORD GT prices. It appears that it has gotten so out of hand that a new website has poped up ( www.fordgtprices.com) to "out" those dealers and individuals who are trying (abit unsuccessfully) to keep the prices on these new cars above MSRP. If you look on e bay you will see about 50 or so BRAND NEW Ford GT's and you will see Ford dealers bidding on other Ford dealers cars - yeah, o.k., right................... Anyways, we have a guy on this list Patrick Krook who says he has sold tons of these cars - So I ask Mr. Krook to comment on not only what this Ford dealership is doing (mallofgeorgiaford) but what other Ford dealerships are doing to "hold the line" on what is obviously becoming a car that is selling at or near MSRP. I would also love to see other peoples comments on this matter as well. Perhaps as forshadowing I should start a www.2007shelbymustangprices.com website as I can see the writing on the wall on that car as well....................... What do you all think??? SGB ----- Original Message ----- From: eBay Member: 360f1spider05 To: sbeckerone@charter.net Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 9:42 AM Subject: Message from eBay Member eBay sent this message to stephen becker (stephen_becker). Your registered name is included to show this message originated from eBay. Learn more. Question from eBay Member -- Respond Now eBay sent this message on behalf of an eBay member via My Messages. Responses sent using email will not reach the eBay member. Use the Respond Now button below to respond to this message. Question from 360f1spider05 You should boycot all units being bid on by "MALL OF GEORGIA FORD INTERNET SALES" check out this sitehttp://www.fordgtprices.com/pages/11/index.htm Respond to this question in My Messages. Thank you for using eBay! http://www.ebay.com/ Marketplace Safety Tip If this message is an offer to sell an item without winning it on the eBay Web site (including Second Chance Offers sent through My Messages) please do not respond to the sender. These "outside of eBay" transactions are unsafe and not covered by eBay purchase protection programs. Never pay for your eBay item through instant wire transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know. Is this email inappropriate? Does it violate eBay policy? Help protect the community by reporting it. Learn how you can protect yourself from spoof (fake) emails at: http://pages.ebay.com/education/spooftutorial This eBay notice was sent to sbeckerone@charter.net on behalf of another eBay member through the eBay platform and in accordance with our Privacy Policy. If you would like to receive this email in text format, change your notification preferences. See our Privacy Policy and User Agreement if you have questions about eBay's communication policies. Privacy Policy: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/privacy-policy.html User Agreement: http:// ----- Original Message ----- From: Dan Drury To: CARMEMORIES Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 7:06 PM Subject: '05 Mustang roars to 47% sales gain '05 Mustang roars to 47% sales gain By Sharon Silke Carty, USA TODAY 6/27/05 DETROIT - It didn't take quite as long as a pregnancy, but Angela Biesecker was eager for her baby to arrive. Angela Biesecker enjoys her 2005 Mustang in Neenah, Wis. By Larry Crane, Oshkosh Northwestern, for USA TODAY Like lots of expectant parents, Biesecker trolled Internet sites looking for more information, wondering how long it would take and what to expect when it finally came. And then on June 17 came the moment she was waiting for: a call from her local Ford dealer. Her 2005 Legend Lime Mustang was finally delivered. "It took five months and three days," says Biesecker of Neenah, Wis. "I was fine with the wait. I was just more worried about not getting it before the production year ended." Biesecker, who put a $100 deposit on the car in early January, may be among the last people who ordered a 2005 who will actually get one. Ford is working hard to fill the remaining 5,500 outstanding Mustang orders but has told dealers to stop taking 2005 orders and start selling the 2006 models. For the 2005 model year, Ford redesigned the Mustang for the first time since 1994, and buyers have been lined up since long before it went on sale in October. The automaker gave its iconic car a retro look with round headlights, chrome details inside and a throaty roar when accelerating, all hearkening back to its mid-'60s roots. And fans have been enthralled. Sales of the Mustang are up 47% through the end of May over what they were last year before the redesign. The redesigned car is selling better than Chrysler's popular 300 sedan. It also is outselling 13 brands, including Scion, Saturn, Mercedes-Benz and Subaru. "Demand for the 2005 model has already been filled from a production standpoint," says Jim Owens, marketing manager for Mustang. "We haven't seen anything like this for Mustang in recent history." The Mustang buzz is so hot, in fact, it's even helping boost the price of used 2003 and 2004 models from before the redesign. Kelley Blue Book says used values have been up as much as $1,000 at auction as dealers scramble to have something on their lots to offer customers if they can't provide a new model. "The introduction of a new vehicle typically brings down the value of the car it replaces, but we have found an anomaly in the Mustang," says Jack Nerad, editorial director and executive market analyst at Kelley Blue Book. "We have seen this phenomenon before but never to this extent and for this long a period." The last time used values went up after a new model was introduced was in 2001 when BMW introduced the new 7 Series, which loyal BMW fans initially despised. Demand went up for the less controversial older model for about a month or so. Most of the back orders for the new Mustang are for the GT model, which has a 300-horsepower V-8 engine and sells for about $25,000. Many dealers have the 210-horsepower V-6 model on their lots, but those don't stay around for long - less than three weeks, on average. "I'm not out of cars, but that car is the hottest car on the market right now," says Dan Hay, a dealer in Bakersfield, Calif. Waiting has become almost as entertaining for buyers as actually getting the car. At some Internet sites, such as BlueOvalNews.com, Mustang buyers have hooked up with anonymous Ford employees to track where in the production cycle their car is. Someone even leaked a number usually reserved for dealers that lets buyers check on their car. Armed with their vehicle identification number, buyers-to-be can check whether their car has been scheduled for a build date, if it's already on the line or if it's in the process of being delivered to their dealer. "I was probably checking a couple times a week," says Jim Vance, a Cincinnati resident who picked up his Sonic Blue GT convertible last week. "It's just because I was so excited about the car." Art Spinella, an analyst at CNW Marketing Research, says he expects demand for the Mustang will remain strong for about 18 months. Considering the car went on sale in October, that means supply could stay limited until next April. "There's an awful lot of breadth to the Mustang but not a lot of depth," Spinella says. "A lot of people would consider driving one, but it isn't a primary vehicle in a household."
We have 4 Ford stores in my immediate area in Milwaukee. 3 of them have GT's cooling their heels on the showroom floor. Did I mention this is MILWAUKEE? LOL My check for a black or blue one at MSRP is waiting for the first guy who wants to be happy with making a measly $25k on a GT - and saving the interest and floor plan money from just sitting around and not working on "bread and butter" cars. I hear that is where most dealers make their money? We'll see what happens when the new "Limited Edition" or whatever they are calling the Titanium colored version for '06 does to the '05 prices soon. My buddy who owns 5 Ford stores supposedly has 3 of these coming in. Stay tuned for more of "As the GT World Burns" on Carmemories TV. LOL -Colin ----- Original Message ----- From: Stephen G. Becker To: Dan Drury ; CARMEMORIES Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 9:09 AM Subject: Re: '05 Mustang roars to 47% sales gain ----- Original Message ----- From: tibiafx1 To: Stephen G. Becker Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 12:11 AM Subject: Re: Fw: Ford GT price scam Stephen, I have been watching FORD GT prices on ebay for as long as they have been available and MallofGeorogiaFord always tries to outbid anyone even other Ford Dealers to keep the price up. I reported this to Ebay 2 months ago. I had given them at least 4 instances where the car did not sell and MallofGeorgiaFord was the top bidder. Eric Johnson Galpin Ford in hte San Fernando Valley, largets Ford Dealer in the world, notified me a bout 10 days ago they had a blue GT with organge numbering and stripes and they wanted $279K for it. EJ Stephen G. Becker wrote: ----- Original Message ----- From: Stephen G. Becker To: shelbymustang@carmemories.com Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 10:29 PM Subject: Fw: Ford GT price scam ----- Original Message ----- From: Stephen G. Becker To: ShelbyMustang@carmemories.com Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 10:27 PM Subject: Ford GT price scam I wanted to share this e mail with the list members as there has been allot of e mail postings going on lately about the manipulation of FORD GT prices. It appears that it has gotten so out of hand that a new website has poped up ( www.fordgtprices.com) to "out" those dealers and individuals who are trying (abit unsuccessfully) to keep the prices on these new cars above MSRP. If you look on e bay you will see about 50 or so BRAND NEW Ford GT's and you will see Ford dealers bidding on other Ford dealers cars - yeah, o.k., right................... Anyways, we have a guy on this list Patrick Krook who says he has sold tons of these cars - So I ask Mr. Krook to comment on not only what this Ford dealership is doing (mallofgeorgiaford) but what other Ford dealerships are doing to "hold the line" on what is obviously becoming a car that is selling at or near MSRP. I would also love to see other peoples comments on this matter as well. Perhaps as forshadowing I should start a www.2007shelbymustangprices.com website as I can see the writing on the wall on that car as well....................... What do you all think??? SGB ----- Original Message ----- From: eBay Member: 360f1spider05 To: sbeckerone@charter.net Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 9:42 AM Subject: Message from eBay Member eBay sent this message to stephen becker (stephen_becker). Your registered name is included to show this message originated from eBay. Learn more. Question from eBay Member -- Respond Now eBay sent this message on behalf of an eBay member via My Messages. Responses sent using email will not reach the eBay member. Use the Respond Now button below to respond to this message. Question from 360f1spider05 You should boycot all units being bid on by "MALL OF GEORGIA FORD INTERNET SALES" check out this sitehttp://www.fordgtprices.com/pages/11/index.htm Respond to this question in My Messages. Thank you for using eBay! http://www.ebay.com/ Marketplace Safety Tip If this message is an offer to sell an item without winning it on the eBay Web site (including Second Chance Offers sent through My Messages) please do not respond to the sender. These "outside of eBay" transactions are unsafe and not covered by eBay purchase protection programs. Never pay for your eBay item through instant wire transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know. Is this email inappropriate? Does it violate eBay policy? Help protect the community by reporting it. Learn how you can protect yourself from spoof (fake) emails at: http://pages.ebay.com/education/spooftutorial This eBay notice was sent to sbeckerone@charter.net on behalf of another eBay member through the eBay platform and in accordance with our Privacy Policy. If you would like to receive this email in text format, change your notification preferences. See our Privacy Policy and User Agreement if you have questions about eBay's communication policies. Privacy Policy: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/privacy-policy.html User Agreement: http:// ----- Original Message ----- From: Dan Drury To: CARMEMORIES Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 7:06 PM Subject: '05 Mustang roars to 47% sales gain '05 Mustang roars to 47% sales gain By Sharon Silke Carty, USA TODAY 6/27/05 DETROIT - It didn't take quite as long as a pregnancy, but Angela Biesecker was eager for her baby to arrive. Angela Biesecker enjoys her 2005 Mustang in Neenah, Wis. By Larry Crane, Oshkosh Northwestern, for USA TODAY Like lots of expectant parents, Biesecker trolled Internet sites looking for more information, wondering how long it would take and what to expect when it finally came. And then on June 17 came the moment she was waiting for: a call from her local Ford dealer. Her 2005 Legend Lime Mustang was finally delivered. "It took five months and three days," says Biesecker of Neenah, Wis. "I was fine with the wait. I was just more worried about not getting it before the production year ended." Biesecker, who put a $100 deposit on the car in early January, may be among the last people who ordered a 2005 who will actually get one. Ford is working hard to fill the remaining 5,500 outstanding Mustang orders but has told dealers to stop taking 2005 orders and start selling the 2006 models. For the 2005 model year, Ford redesigned the Mustang for the first time since 1994, and buyers have been lined up since long before it went on sale in October. The automaker gave its iconic car a retro look with round headlights, chrome details inside and a throaty roar when accelerating, all hearkening back to its mid-'60s roots. And fans have been enthralled. Sales of the Mustang are up 47% through the end of May over what they were last year before the redesign. The redesigned car is selling better than Chrysler's popular 300 sedan. It also is outselling 13 brands, including Scion, Saturn, Mercedes-Benz and Subaru. "Demand for the 2005 model has already been filled from a production standpoint," says Jim Owens, marketing manager for Mustang. "We haven't seen anything like this for Mustang in recent history." The Mustang buzz is so hot, in fact, it's even helping boost the price of used 2003 and 2004 models from before the redesign. Kelley Blue Book says used values have been up as much as $1,000 at auction as dealers scramble to have something on their lots to offer customers if they can't provide a new model. "The introduction of a new vehicle typically brings down the value of the car it replaces, but we have found an anomaly in the Mustang," says Jack Nerad, editorial director and executive market analyst at Kelley Blue Book. "We have seen this phenomenon before but never to this extent and for this long a period." The last time used values went up after a new model was introduced was in 2001 when BMW introduced the new 7 Series, which loyal BMW fans initially despised. Demand went up for the less controversial older model for about a month or so. Most of the back orders for the new Mustang are for the GT model, which has a 300-horsepower V-8 engine and sells for about $25,000. Many dealers have the 210-horsepower V-6 model on their lots, but those don't stay around for long - less than three weeks, on average. "I'm not out of cars, but that car is the hottest car on the market right now," says Dan Hay, a dealer in Bakersfield, Calif. Waiting has become almost as entertaining for buyers as actually getting the car. At some Internet sites, such as BlueOvalNews.com, Mustang buyers have hooked up with anonymous Ford employees to track where in the production cycle their car is. Someone even leaked a number usually reserved for dealers that lets buyers check on their car. Armed with their vehicle identification number, buyers-to-be can check whether their car has been scheduled for a build date, if it's already on the line or if it's in the process of being delivered to their dealer. "I was probably checking a couple times a week," says Jim Vance, a Cincinnati resident who picked up his Sonic Blue GT convertible last week. "It's just because I was so excited about the car." Art Spinella, an analyst at CNW Marketing Research, says he expects demand for the Mustang will remain strong for about 18 months. Considering the car went on sale in October, that means supply could stay limited until next April. "There's an awful lot of breadth to the Mustang but not a lot of depth," Spinella says. "A lot of people would consider driving one, but it isn't a primary vehicle in a household."
Hey - At MSRP do they make 25k?? Someone told me they make like 7k at 152k MSRP - That number did not seem right ................and you are correct - just wait until the 06's come out in September ----- Original Message ----- From: Colin Comer To: Stephen G. Becker ; Dan Drury ; CARMEMORIES Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 10:21 AM Subject: Re: '05 Mustang roars to 47% sales gain We have 4 Ford stores in my immediate area in Milwaukee. 3 of them have GT's cooling their heels on the showroom floor. Did I mention this is MILWAUKEE? LOL My check for a black or blue one at MSRP is waiting for the first guy who wants to be happy with making a measly $25k on a GT - and saving the interest and floor plan money from just sitting around and not working on "bread and butter" cars. I hear that is where most dealers make their money? We'll see what happens when the new "Limited Edition" or whatever they are calling the Titanium colored version for '06 does to the '05 prices soon. My buddy who owns 5 Ford stores supposedly has 3 of these coming in. Stay tuned for more of "As the GT World Burns" on Carmemories TV. LOL -Colin ----- Original Message ----- From: Stephen G. Becker To: Dan Drury ; CARMEMORIES Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 9:09 AM Subject: Re: '05 Mustang roars to 47% sales gain ----- Original Message ----- From: tibiafx1 To: Stephen G. Becker Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 12:11 AM Subject: Re: Fw: Ford GT price scam Stephen, I have been watching FORD GT prices on ebay for as long as they have been available and MallofGeorogiaFord always tries to outbid anyone even other Ford Dealers to keep the price up. I reported this to Ebay 2 months ago. I had given them at least 4 instances where the car did not sell and MallofGeorgiaFord was the top bidder. Eric Johnson Galpin Ford in hte San Fernando Valley, largets Ford Dealer in the world, notified me a bout 10 days ago they had a blue GT with organge numbering and stripes and they wanted $279K for it. EJ Stephen G. Becker wrote: ----- Original Message ----- From: Stephen G. Becker To: shelbymustang@carmemories.com Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 10:29 PM Subject: Fw: Ford GT price scam ----- Original Message ----- From: Stephen G. Becker To: ShelbyMustang@carmemories.com Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 10:27 PM Subject: Ford GT price scam I wanted to share this e mail with the list members as there has been allot of e mail postings going on lately about the manipulation of FORD GT prices. It appears that it has gotten so out of hand that a new website has poped up ( www.fordgtprices.com) to "out" those dealers and individuals who are trying (abit unsuccessfully) to keep the prices on these new cars above MSRP. If you look on e bay you will see about 50 or so BRAND NEW Ford GT's and you will see Ford dealers bidding on other Ford dealers cars - yeah, o.k., right................... Anyways, we have a guy on this list Patrick Krook who says he has sold tons of these cars - So I ask Mr. Krook to comment on not only what this Ford dealership is doing (mallofgeorgiaford) but what other Ford dealerships are doing to "hold the line" on what is obviously becoming a car that is selling at or near MSRP. I would also love to see other peoples comments on this matter as well. Perhaps as forshadowing I should start a www.2007shelbymustangprices.com website as I can see the writing on the wall on that car as well....................... What do you all think??? SGB ----- Original Message ----- From: eBay Member: 360f1spider05 To: sbeckerone@charter.net Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 9:42 AM Subject: Message from eBay Member eBay sent this message to stephen becker (stephen_becker). Your registered name is included to show this message originated from eBay. Learn more. Question from eBay Member -- Respond Now eBay sent this message on behalf of an eBay member via My Messages. Responses sent using email will not reach the eBay member. Use the Respond Now button below to respond to this message. Question from 360f1spider05 You should boycot all units being bid on by "MALL OF GEORGIA FORD INTERNET SALES" check out this sitehttp://www.fordgtprices.com/pages/11/index.htm Respond to this question in My Messages. Thank you for using eBay! http://www.ebay.com/ Marketplace Safety Tip If this message is an offer to sell an item without winning it on the eBay Web site (including Second Chance Offers sent through My Messages) please do not respond to the sender. These "outside of eBay" transactions are unsafe and not covered by eBay purchase protection programs. Never pay for your eBay item through instant wire transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know. Is this email inappropriate? Does it violate eBay policy? Help protect the community by reporting it. Learn how you can protect yourself from spoof (fake) emails at: http://pages.ebay.com/education/spooftutorial This eBay notice was sent to sbeckerone@charter.net on behalf of another eBay member through the eBay platform and in accordance with our Privacy Policy. If you would like to receive this email in text format, change your notification preferences. See our Privacy Policy and User Agreement if you have questions about eBay's communication policies. Privacy Policy: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/privacy-policy.html User Agreement: http:// ----- Original Message ----- From: Dan Drury To: CARMEMORIES Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 7:06 PM Subject: '05 Mustang roars to 47% sales gain '05 Mustang roars to 47% sales gain By Sharon Silke Carty, USA TODAY 6/27/05 DETROIT - It didn't take quite as long as a pregnancy, but Angela Biesecker was eager for her baby to arrive. Angela Biesecker enjoys her 2005 Mustang in Neenah, Wis. By Larry Crane, Oshkosh Northwestern, for USA TODAY Like lots of expectant parents, Biesecker trolled Internet sites looking for more information, wondering how long it would take and what to expect when it finally came. And then on June 17 came the moment she was waiting for: a call from her local Ford dealer. Her 2005 Legend Lime Mustang was finally delivered. "It took five months and three days," says Biesecker of Neenah, Wis. "I was fine with the wait. I was just more worried about not getting it before the production year ended." Biesecker, who put a $100 deposit on the car in early January, may be among the last people who ordered a 2005 who will actually get one. Ford is working hard to fill the remaining 5,500 outstanding Mustang orders but has told dealers to stop taking 2005 orders and start selling the 2006 models. For the 2005 model year, Ford redesigned the Mustang for the first time since 1994, and buyers have been lined up since long before it went on sale in October. The automaker gave its iconic car a retro look with round headlights, chrome details inside and a throaty roar when accelerating, all hearkening back to its mid-'60s roots. And fans have been enthralled. Sales of the Mustang are up 47% through the end of May over what they were last year before the redesign. The redesigned car is selling better than Chrysler's popular 300 sedan. It also is outselling 13 brands, including Scion, Saturn, Mercedes-Benz and Subaru. "Demand for the 2005 model has already been filled from a production standpoint," says Jim Owens, marketing manager for Mustang. "We haven't seen anything like this for Mustang in recent history." The Mustang buzz is so hot, in fact, it's even helping boost the price of used 2003 and 2004 models from before the redesign. Kelley Blue Book says used values have been up as much as $1,000 at auction as dealers scramble to have something on their lots to offer customers if they can't provide a new model. "The introduction of a new vehicle typically brings down the value of the car it replaces, but we have found an anomaly in the Mustang," says Jack Nerad, editorial director and executive market analyst at Kelley Blue Book. "We have seen this phenomenon before but never to this extent and for this long a period." The last time used values went up after a new model was introduced was in 2001 when BMW introduced the new 7 Series, which loyal BMW fans initially despised. Demand went up for the less controversial older model for about a month or so. Most of the back orders for the new Mustang are for the GT model, which has a 300-horsepower V-8 engine and sells for about $25,000. Many dealers have the 210-horsepower V-6 model on their lots, but those don't stay around for long - less than three weeks, on average. "I'm not out of cars, but that car is the hottest car on the market right now," says Dan Hay, a dealer in Bakersfield, Calif. Waiting has become almost as entertaining for buyers as actually getting the car. At some Internet sites, such as BlueOvalNews.com, Mustang buyers have hooked up with anonymous Ford employees to track where in the production cycle their car is. Someone even leaked a number usually reserved for dealers that lets buyers check on their car. Armed with their vehicle identification number, buyers-to-be can check whether their car has been scheduled for a build date, if it's already on the line or if it's in the process of being delivered to their dealer. "I was probably checking a couple times a week," says Jim Vance, a Cincinnati resident who picked up his Sonic Blue GT convertible last week. "It's just because I was so excited about the car." Art Spinella, an analyst at CNW Marketing Research, says he expects demand for the Mustang will remain strong for about 18 months. Considering the car went on sale in October, that means supply could stay limited until next April. "There's an awful lot of breadth to the Mustang but not a lot of depth," Spinella says. "A lot of people would consider driving one, but it isn't a primary vehicle in a household."
